COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia Ethiopia receives 300,000 doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (The National Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany German health authorities suspend the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine in people under the age of 60 after new data showing a rise in unusual blood clots in the head was released. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Greece reports a record 4,340 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 260,077. (Ekathimerini)
COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan Pakistan reports 100 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the highest recorded in a single day of the year so far, thus bringing the nationwide death toll to 14,434. The number of patients in critical care with COVID-19 also reaches an all-time high of 3,749. (Dawn)
COVID-19 pandemic in Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine supplied from Australia. Prime Minister James Marape is the first person to receive a dose of the vaccine. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey reports a record 37,303 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3.27 million. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela Venezuela receives more than 115,000 doses of the EpiVacCorona vaccine as part of trials of the Russian vaccine candidate. (Reuters)
COVID-19 vaccination in Italy Prime Minister Mario Draghi and his wife Maria Serenella Cappello receive their first doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (ANSA)
COVID-19 vaccine, Lineage B.1.1.7 Trials for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine show that it is 90% effective against COVID-19 and the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2. (UrduPoint)
Ethiopia receives 300,000 doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine. (The National Herald)
Following the fall of Palma to Islamist militants, Portugal announces it will be deploying 60 special forces troops to Mozambique in the coming weeks to train local forces amid an intensifying insurgency. (France 24)
German health authorities suspend the use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine in people under the age of 60 after new data showing a rise in unusual blood clots in the head was released. (ABC News)
Greece reports a record 4,340 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 260,077. (Ekathimerini)
Gunmen kill three female polio vaccination health workers in Jalalabad, Nangarhar. (Al Jazeera)
In college basketball, the UCLA Bruins advance to the Final Four as an 11th seed after defeating the Michigan Wolverines, becoming the fifth team to do so after LSU in 1986, George Mason in 2006, VCU in 2011, and Loyola–Chicago in 2018. They will also become the second team to reach the Final Four after starting in the First Four since the 2011 VCU Rams. They will play the Gonzaga Bulldogs, who defeated the USC Trojans. (Sports Illustrated)
Insurgency in Cabo Delgado Following the fall of Palma to Islamist militants, Portugal announces it will be deploying 60 special forces troops to Mozambique in the coming weeks to train local forces amid an intensifying insurgency. (France 24)
Mali wedding airstrike A report by the United Nations mission in Mali concludes that an airstrike conducted by France in Mopti on January 3 killed 19 civilians at a wedding. The French military maintains that it had killed rebel fighters identified by aerial surveillance, and denies that a wedding had taken place in Bounti. (Al Jazeera)
Pakistan reports 100 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the highest recorded in a single day of the year so far, thus bringing the nationwide death toll to 14,434. The number of patients in critical care with COVID-19 also reaches an all-time high of 3,749. (Dawn)
Papua New Guinea begins a vaccination campaign against COVID-19 using the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine supplied from Australia. Prime Minister James Marape is the first person to receive a dose of the vaccine. (The Guardian)
Prime Minister Mario Draghi and his wife Maria Serenella Cappello receive their first doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (ANSA)
The death toll since the protests began officially surpasses 500. Pro-democracy activists launch a "garbage strike" in Yangon as rebel groups demand that the military stop the bloodshed or face retaliation. (DW)
Trials for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine show that it is 90% effective against COVID-19 and the Lineage B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2. (UrduPoint)
Turkey reports a record 37,303 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 3.27 million. (Anadolu Agency)
Venezuela receives more than 115,000 doses of the EpiVacCorona vaccine as part of trials of the Russian vaccine candidate. (Reuters)
Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses Ukraine of "provoking armed confrontation" with pro-Russian separatists in the war-torn eastern portion of the country. Putin also said that Ukraine failed to comply with the July 2020 ceasefire of the conflict, which has killed over 14,000 people since it broke out in 2014. (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
War in Donbass Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses Ukraine of "provoking armed confrontation" with pro-Russian separatists in the war-torn eastern portion of the country. Putin also said that Ukraine failed to comply with the July 2020 ceasefire of the conflict, which has killed over 14,000 people since it broke out in 2014. (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
ADF gunmen attack a village in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing at least 23 civilians. Two attackers are shot dead by responding security forces. (Al Jazeera)
Allied Democratic Forces insurgency ADF gunmen attack a village in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing at least 23 civilians. Two attackers are shot dead by responding security forces. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in France President Emmanuel Macron announces the extension of the "light lockdown" to the rest of the country, which includes a school closure from April 12 to April 26, a one-month domestic travel ban, and closure of non-essential businesses beginning April 3 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (The Wall Street Journal) (BBC News)
President Emmanuel Macron announces the extension of the "light lockdown" to the rest of the country, which includes a school closure from April 12 to April 26, a one-month domestic travel ban, and closure of non-essential businesses beginning April 3 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (The Wall Street Journal) (BBC News)
2021 Nigerien coup d'état attempt Gunfire erupts in the streets of Niamey, Niger, during an attempted coup d'état by soldiers. The coup was foiled and the perpetrators were arrested. (France 24)
A young man, 16, from Newcastle, receives a non-custodial sentence after admitting to inviting support for banned neo-Nazi terror group National Action, plus multiple offences of inciting terrorism and stirring up racial hatred. The young man, who founded his own neo-Nazi cell at the age of 15, is the third-youngest UK terror convict. (BBC News)
Bangladesh reports a record 5,358 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 611,295. (Dhaka Tribune)
Bulgaria reports a record 5,176 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 338,426. (Bulgarian National Television)
China–Philippines relations, Territorial disputes in the South China Sea The Philippines says that a Chinese maritime fleet "manned by militias" have now spread to wider areas inside its exclusive economic zone after occupying the disputed Whitsun Reef, and defying its demands for the flotilla to be withdrawn from its waters. Chinese diplomats say that the boats were sheltering from rough seas and denies the involvement of militias. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, Lineage B.1.1.7 Restrictions temporarily increase in towns surrounding Byron Bay, New South Wales, after people linked to a recent outbreak of the UK variant in Brisbane spread the virus. Mask wearing is made mandatory indoors and private gatherings are limited to 30. (The Guardian)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh reports a record 5,358 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 611,295. (Dhaka Tribune)
COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil For the second consecutive day, Brazil reports a record total of 3,950 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, thereby bringing the number of deaths to 321,515. The total of 66,868 deaths in the past 31 days marked the most lethal month in the country for the duration of the pandemic. (G1) Brazil's health regulator Anvisa approves the emergency use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (The Brazilian Report)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria Bulgaria reports a record 5,176 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 338,426. (Bulgarian National Television)
COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan Jordan reports a record 111 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 6,858. (Roya News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, Lineage B.1.1.7 Restrictions temporarily increase in towns surrounding Byron Bay, New South Wales, after people linked to a recent outbreak of the UK variant in Brisbane spread the virus. Mask wearing is made mandatory indoors and private gatherings are limited to 30. (The Guardian) COVID-19 pandemic in Tonga Tonga receives its first shipment of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine supplied through the COVAX initiative. (Matangi Tonga)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia The Rosselkhoznadzor approves the Carnivac-Cov, which is the world's first COVID-19 vaccine for nonhuman animals. (NBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka receives 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine from China. Vaccination of Chinese nationals could commence first as the Medicines Regulatory Authority says that the vaccination of Sri Lankans will begin after a study by a committee of experts. (Lanka Business Online)
COVID-19 pandemic in Tonga Tonga receives its first shipment of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine supplied through the COVAX initiative. (Matangi Tonga)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine reports a record 407 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 32,825. (Kyiv Post)
Far-right terrorism in the United Kingdom A young man, 16, from Newcastle, receives a non-custodial sentence after admitting to inviting support for banned neo-Nazi terror group National Action, plus multiple offences of inciting terrorism and stirring up racial hatred. The young man, who founded his own neo-Nazi cell at the age of 15, is the third-youngest UK terror convict. (BBC News)
For the second consecutive day, Brazil reports a record total of 3,950 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, thereby bringing the number of deaths to 321,515. The total of 66,868 deaths in the past 31 days marked the most lethal month in the country for the duration of the pandemic. (G1)
Gunfire erupts in the streets of Niamey, Niger, during an attempted coup d'état by soldiers. The coup was foiled and the perpetrators were arrested. (France 24)
Jordan reports a record 111 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 6,858. (Roya News)
Restrictions temporarily increase in towns surrounding Byron Bay, New South Wales, after people linked to a recent outbreak of the UK variant in Brisbane spread the virus. Mask wearing is made mandatory indoors and private gatherings are limited to 30. (The Guardian)
Sri Lanka receives 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine from China. Vaccination of Chinese nationals could commence first as the Medicines Regulatory Authority says that the vaccination of Sri Lankans will begin after a study by a committee of experts. (Lanka Business Online)
The Philippines says that a Chinese maritime fleet "manned by militias" have now spread to wider areas inside its exclusive economic zone after occupying the disputed Whitsun Reef, and defying its demands for the flotilla to be withdrawn from its waters. Chinese diplomats say that the boats were sheltering from rough seas and denies the involvement of militias. (Reuters)
The Rosselkhoznadzor approves the Carnivac-Cov, which is the world's first COVID-19 vaccine for nonhuman animals. (NBC News)
Tonga receives its first shipment of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine supplied through the COVAX initiative. (Matangi Tonga)
Ukraine reports a record 407 deaths in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 32,825. (Kyiv Post)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) 2021 Afghanistan attacks A female police officer is killed by gunmen in the city of Jalalabad, Nangarhar, during an increase of targeted killings of women in the city. (Reuters)
Bangladesh reports a record 6,469 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, prompting the government to impose a series of new measures, including banning all travellers from the European Union and 12 other countries for two weeks beginning April 3. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh Bangladesh reports a record 6,469 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, prompting the government to impose a series of new measures, including banning all travellers from the European Union and 12 other countries for two weeks beginning April 3. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Chile After surpassing one million cases, the government announces several new restrictions. Borders will be closed for 30 days; the curfew will start one hour earlier; work permits during quarantine will be given only for essential activities; and sales will be permitted only for food, medicine, and hygiene products. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany President Frank-Walter Steinmeier receives his first dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (Barron's)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan The Japanese government designates Osaka, Hyogo, and Miyagi Prefectures for tougher measures against COVID-19 amid a rise in cases. The measures include fines of ¥200,000 ($1,808.80) for restaurants and bars that ignore mandates to shorten operating hours to 8:00 p.m., and capping attendance of large events to 5,000 people. These measures will be effective for one month beginning on April 5. (Kyodo News)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the music industry, COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands, Eurovision Song Contest 2021 The government announces that it will permit the attendance of around 3,500 fans into Rotterdam Ahoy for the Eurovision contest on May 18–22, as part of a trial to reopen public venues. (Radio France Internationale)
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier receives his first dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. (Barron's)
Russia–United States relations Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov warns of a rising "anti-White" racism in the United States, saying that political correctness was being "taken to the extreme". Lavrov also accuses the U.S. of attempting to spread a cultural revolution around the world. (The Moscow Times)
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov warns of a rising "anti-White" racism in the United States, saying that political correctness was being "taken to the extreme". Lavrov also accuses the U.S. of attempting to spread a cultural revolution around the world. (The Moscow Times)
Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová appoints Finance Minister Eduard Heger as the new Prime Minister, ending a month-long political crisis. (Reuters)
Taiwan–United States relations U.S. ambassador to Palau John Hennessey-Niland becomes the first sitting American envoy to visit Taiwan since the U.S. cut formal ties in 1979. The visit coincided with the opening of a COVID-19 "travel bubble" between Taiwan and Palau. The highest level visit in 42 years prompted anger from China, who warned the U.S. against "crossing its red line". (The Diplomat) (The Independent)
The government announces that it will permit the attendance of around 3,500 fans into Rotterdam Ahoy for the Eurovision contest on May 18–22, as part of a trial to reopen public venues. (Radio France Internationale)
The Japanese government designates Osaka, Hyogo, and Miyagi Prefectures for tougher measures against COVID-19 amid a rise in cases. The measures include fines of ¥200,000 ($1,808.80) for restaurants and bars that ignore mandates to shorten operating hours to 8:00 p.m., and capping attendance of large events to 5,000 people. These measures will be effective for one month beginning on April 5. (Kyodo News)
2019–20 Hong Kong protests A Hong Kong court convicts nine activists of the opposition pro-democracy camp for organizing and participating in an "unlawful assembly". Among those convicted are politicians Martin Lee, Leung Kwok-hung, and Margaret Ng, and entrepreneur Jimmy Lai. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
2021 Myanmar protests, Myanmar–United Kingdom relations The United Kingdom places sanctions on Burmese conglomerate Myanmar Economic Corporation for funding the junta and for associating with military officials. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also accuses the junta of "sinking to a new low with the wanton killing of innocent people, including children". (Reuters)
A Hong Kong court convicts nine activists of the opposition pro-democracy camp for organizing and participating in an "unlawful assembly". Among those convicted are politicians Martin Lee, Leung Kwok-hung, and Margaret Ng, and entrepreneur Jimmy Lai. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Andorra receives 30.000 doses of Oxford-Astrazenca vaccines from COVAX WHO program. (Diari d'Andorra)
COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra Andorra receives 30.000 doses of Oxford-Astrazenca vaccines from COVAX WHO program. (Diari d'Andorra)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Lockdown restrictions are eased in Queensland, including Brisbane, after a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Nine News)
